The Effects of Different Relative Humidity with Low Temperature on Skin Physiology

Article Preview

Abstract:

People always experience different humidity and temperature in very short span of time. Therefore, people can adapt themselves to the changes of environment by their physiological changes. Many studies had showed that relative humidity (RH) affects thermal regulatory process. However, there is no related research showing the effects of different humidity with low temperature on skin physiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different RH with low temperature on skin physiology. Twenty subjects were selected for this study. All subjects stayed a chamber in 60% RH ands 24°C for 30minutes, and then moved to a chamber of 60% RH and 10°C on the first day. The second day, the combination of the chamber changed to 90% RH and 10°C. Skin temperature and skin water content were tested very minutes from the beginning to the 20th minute. The conclusions indicated that lower RH would induce lower skin temperature. Gender was not a factor to influence the skin temperature on different RH. Skin water content may not easily changed in a short span of time.

You might also be interested in these eBooks

Info:

Periodical:

Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 518-523)

Pages:

1010-1013

Citation:

Online since:

May 2012

Export:

Price:

Permissions CCC:

Permissions PLS:

Сopyright:

© 2012 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Share:

Citation:

[1] Toftum, J., Fanger, P.O. Air humidity requirements for human comfort. ASHRAE Trans, 105 (2) (1999), p.641–647.

Google Scholar

[2] Ibrahim, A. & Abdulvahap, Y. Predicting the effect of relative humidity on skin temperature and skin wettedness. Journal of Thermal Biology, 31(2006), pp.442-452.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2006.03.003

Google Scholar

[3] Zhao, R.Y. Investigation of transient thermal environments. Build Environment, 42 (2007), p.3926–3932.

Google Scholar

[4] Berglund, L.G. Comfort and humidity. ASHRAE J. 40 (8) (1998), p.35–41.

Google Scholar

[5] Höppe, P. The physiological equivalent temperature – A universal index for the biometeorological assessment of the thermal environment. International Journal of Biometeorology, 43 (1999), p.71–75.

DOI: 10.1007/s004840050118

Google Scholar

[6] Matzarakis, A. and Amelung, B. Physiologically equivalent temperature as indicator for impacts of climate change on thermal comfort of humans, Advances in Global Change Research, vol. 30, in: M.C. Thomson, Editor, Seasonal forecasts, climatic change and human health, Springer, Berlin, (2008), p.161–172.

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-6877-5_10

Google Scholar

[7] Hitomi, T., Shin-ichi, T., Junkichi, H., Yasuo, I., & Gen, N. Effect of humidity on human comfort and productivity after step changes from warm and humid environment, Building and Environment, 42(2007), p.4034–4042.

DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.06.037

Google Scholar